Tilt detector

• US 20020073564A1
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Inventors: Akieda, Shinichiro
• Granted Patent: US 6,543,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/366.24
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1007 comprising associated circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/12 by using a single pendulum plumb lines G01C15/10

Abstract

A tilt detector includes a magnet, a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers, a container, and a mounting member for mounting the magnet. The mounting member is rotatably supported within the container and the plurality of magnetoelectric transducers is mounted on the container. The tilt detector detects a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the container.

Claims

1. A tilt detector comprising:

a magnet;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers;

a container; and

a mounting member for mounting the magnet, the mounting member being rotatably supported within the container by a bearing mechanism,

the plurality of magnetoelectric transducers being mounted on the container,

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the container.

2. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space; and

the mounting member is substantially a hollow cylinder,

the magnet being mounted on an interior surface of the cylindrical mounting member.

3. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially spherical space; and

the mounting member is substantially a hollow sphere,

the magnet being mounted on an interior surface of the spherical mounting member.

4. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space; and

the mounting member is substantially rod-shaped, the magnet being mounted on an exterior surface of the rod-shaped mounting member.

5. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a weight mounted on the mounting member.

6. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetoelectric transducers are Hall elements.

7. A tilt detector comprising:

a magnet;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers;

a container;

a mounting member for mounting the magnet; and

a weight,

the mounting member being rotatably supported within the container by a bearing mechanism,

the bearing mechanism being immersed in a fluid inserted in a space between an interior surface of the container and an exterior surface of the mounting member,

the plurality of magnetoelectric transducers being mounted on the container,

the weight being mounted on the mounting member,

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the container.

8. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space; and

the mounting member is substantially a hollow cylinder,

the magnet being mounted on an interior surface of the cylindrical mounting member.

9. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially spherical space; and

the mounting member is substantially a hollow sphere,

the magnet being mounted on an interior surface of the spherical mounting member.

10. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space; and

the mounting member is substantially rod-shaped,

the magnet being mounted on an exterior surface of the rod-shaped mounting member.

11. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the magnetoelectric transducers are Hall elements.